International Women’s Day (IWD) is held on March 8 every year. It is a global event. People all over the world will celebrate the great achievements of women in economic, political, social and cultural sphere. Most importantly, this day reminds every one that the fight for women’s rights is still in necessary.
Then how did it start? Here is a rough timeline.
－The first “International Women’s Day” was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. It was not international yet at that time. It was called “National Woman’s Day” and was organized by the Socialist Party of America.
－In 1911, it was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19.
－In 1914 International Women's Day was held on March 8 in Germany.
－In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March.
－In 2011, former US President Barack Obama proclaimed March to be “Women’s History Month”.
Why is it still celebrated now?
Because gender inequality still exists around the world. Figures show that globally, women’s education, health and violence towards women is still worse than that of men. Although many countries and organizations have made efforts to improve women’s status in the society, women are easier to receive unequal treatments in both family and workplace.
According to a 2017 report by the World Economic Forum, it could still take another 100 years before the global equality gap between men and women disappears entirely.
We still have a long way to go. And we hope all humanity could strive to achieve full gender equality for women the world.